Be a Believer to be an Achiever - By Harvey Mackay

The professor stood before his class of 30 senior molecular biology students, about to pass out the final exam. 'I have been privileged to be your instructor this semester, and I know how hard you have all worked to prepare for this test. I also know most of you are off to medical school or grad school next fall,' he said to them.

'I am well aware of how much pressure you are under to keep your GPAs up, and because I know you are all capable of understanding this material, I am prepared to offer an automatic 'B' to anyone who would prefer not to take the final.'‘

The relief was audible as a number of students jumped up to thank the professor and departed from class. The professor looked at the handful of students who remained, and offered again, 'Any other takers? This is your last opportunity.' One more student decided to go.Seven students remained. The professor closed the door and took attendance. Then he handed out the final exam. There were two sentences typed on the paper: 'Congratulations, you have just received an 'A' in this class. Keep believing in yourself.'

I never had a professor who gave a test like that. It may seem like the easy way out of grading a bunch of exams, but it's a test that any teacher in any discipline could and should give. Students who don't have confidence in what they've learned are 'B' students at best.

The same is true for students of real life. The 'A' students are those who believe in what they're doing because they've learned from both successes and failures. They've absorbed life's lessons, whether from formal education or the school of hard knocks, and become better people.

Those are the people who you look for when you're hiring or promoting, and the ones you keep if you're downsizing. Your organisation needs their brand of thinking.

Psychologists say that by the age of two, 50 percent of what we ever believe about ourselves has been formed; by age six, 60 percent, and at eight years, 80 percent. Wouldn't you love to have the energy and optimism of a little kid? There is nothing you couldn't do or learn or be.

But you're a big kid now, and you realise you have some limits. Don't let the biggest limit be yourself. Take your cue from Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest: 'It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.'

Believing in yourself comes from knowing what you are really capable of doing. When it's your turn to step up to the plate, realise that you won't hit a homerun every time. Baseball superstar Mickey Mantle struck out more than 1,700 times, but it didn't stop him from excelling at baseball. He believed in himself, and he knew his fans believed in him.

Surround yourself with positive people - they know the importance of confidence and will help you keep focused on what you can do instead of what you can't. Who you surround yourself with is who you become.
Never stop learning! I would work this advice into every column if I could; it's that important. Don't limit yourself only to work-related classes, either. Learn everything about every subject that you can. When you know what you're talking about, it shows.

Be very careful not to confuse confidence with a big ego. If you want people to believe in you, you also have to believe in them. Understand well that those around you also have much to contribute, and they deserve your support. Without faith in yourself and others, success is impossible.

At the end of a particularly frustrating practice one-day, a football coach dismissed his players by yelling, 'Now all you idiots, go take a shower!' All but one player headed toward the locker room. The coach glared at him and asked why he was still there.

'You told all the idiots to go, Sir,' the player replied, 'and there sure seems to be a lot of them. But I am not an idiot.' Confident? You bet. And smart enough to coach that team some day.

Evoking possibilities By Karina Butera

Don't tell me " I can't..."
Tell me "I won't ... because there are other strengths I'd rather be using right now."

Don't tell me "I should..."
Tell me "I will ... because this is something I value and feel compelled to do with a clear conscience."

Don't tell me "If only ..."
Tell me "Imagine if ... because all things we can imagine, we can create as a collective power."

Don't tell me "I'm not good at..."
Tell me "I'm improving ... and each day I get better in the areas upon which I focus."

Don't tell me "I make no difference ..."
Tell me "I matter ... and I put forth my best each day to be part of the good I want to see in the world."

Don't tell me "There's no point..."
Tell me "There's purpose ... and if there were no challenges in life, I would feel no sense of achievement."

Don't tell me "I'm alone..."
Tell me "I belong ... to a world full of people who get scared, just like me, who wish for better, just like me and who long to love passionately and peacefully, just like me.

Don't tell me "I'm lost..."
Tell me "I'm seeking... the people, the place, the vocation that are perfect for me at this point in my life."

Tell me you care; tell me you feel.
Tell me you dream and imagine.
Tell me you believe in a greater intrinsic goodness.
Tell me you are bigger than your perceived limitations.
Tell me you contribute with courage, generosity and an open heart.
Tell me of the possibilities that float from your loftiest dreams.
Tell me you are unique or tell me you are like me.

Gratitude & Joy

May you listen to your longing to be free.
May the frames of your belonging be large enough for the dreams of your soul.
May you arise each day with a voice of blessing whispering in your heart
...something good is going to happen to you.
May you find harmony between your soul and your life.
May the mansion of your soul never become a haunted place.
May you know the eternal longing that lies at the heart of time.
May there be kindness in your gaze when you look within.
May you never place walls between the light and yourself.
May you be set free from the prisons of guilt, fear, disappointment and despair.
May you allow the wild beauty of the invisible world to gather you,
mind you, and embrace you in belonging.

The Paradox of Letting Go

An extract >>

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.
When I give of myself, I become more.
When I feel most destroyed, I am about to grow.
When I desire nothing, a great deal comes to me.
When I give up trying to impress the group, I become very impressive.